For Immediate Release 2011AG0033-001526 Nov. 23, 2011

Ministry of Attorney General

 

 

Attorney General’s statement on polygamy reference case

 

VICTORIA – Attorney General Shirley Bond issued the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court of B.C. decision on the polygamy reference case:

 

“Firstly, I want to begin by thanking the people who have provided first-hand evidence regarding their personal experiences. It was imperative for the court to hear the evidence from those who had the courage to speak out. I also want to thank the experts who testified during the case. I have no doubt that this evidence was of significant assistance to the court in reaching its decision.

 

“I welcome the court’s decision to uphold the Criminal Code provisions regarding polygamy. The Province presented evidence during the case regarding some very serious social harms to British Columbians and Canadians.

 

“As Chief Justice Robert Bauman recognized, this case is about two competing visions – one of personal harm versus state intrusion. As he clearly found, there is profound harm associated with polygamy, particularly for women and children.

 

“Lastly, I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to all the staff in the Attorney General’s ministry for their hard work and dedication in presenting one of the most complicated and difficult constitutional cases in the history of our province.”

 

 

Contact:

Dave Townsend Ministry of Attorney General Government Communications and Public Engagement 250 387-4962 250 889-5945

 

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